- The Carlos Slim Foundation and the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez, recognize organ donors and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the procurement and transplantation of organs.
- Mrs. Jimena Serrano Slim, led the event with the presentation of 14 awards to relatives of deceased donors.
- After more than 10 years of work, the Carlos Slim Foundation has supported more than 8000 transplants for poor people.
The National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez (INNNMVS) held the Heroes for Life awards ceremony. The event is organized by the Carlos Slim Foundation to recognize, through their families, voluntary organ donors who generously donated after life.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Teresita Corona Vazquez, Director General of the Institute, Dr. Miguel Angel Lopez Celis, Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Juan Nicasio Arriada Mendicoa, Director of Education and Mrs. Jimena Serrano de Slim representing the Carlos Slim Foundation.
In collaboration, the Carlos Slim Foundation and the National Institute of Neurology seek to promote the culture of donations. In the event, 14 Heroes for Life awards were given to the relatives of deceased donors. Additionally, 15 areas of INNN linked to transplants were recognized, directors of 5 hospitals that collaborate with the Institute itself and 6 medical interns representing 29others currently doing their social service in the area of organ donation.
In 2000 the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez began its program of organ and tissue donation. To date has generated approximately 106 multi-organ donations; the results have been procuring 7 hearts, 142 kidneys, 37 livers and 114 corneas.
In Mexico there are annually about 5,925 organ transplants; Most of these are of cornea (3,025), kidney (2,707), liver (149) and heart (44). By June 21, 2014, there is a total of 18,524 people on the waiting list for a transplant. Of this total, 10,903 await a kidney transplant; 7.169 cornea; 386 liver and 43 heart. The remaining are waiting for multiple organ transplants.
The number of transplants performed per year is 32% of the waiting list. It is expected that the number of people requiring a transplant increases due to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. These conditions affect the proper functioning of organs such as the kidneys and heart.
After more than 10 years of work, Carlos Slim Foundation supported the creation of 8,037 transplants for poor people; mainly kidney, cornea, liver and heart. These transplants are supported in collaboration with state governments, National Institutes of Health and General Hospitals.
Since 2012 the events to recognize donors have been taking place in different institutions that work in partnership for the donation culture and transplants. In those life is celebrated in its broadest sense: that of generosity.
At the event, Ms. Jimena Serrano de Slim praised organ donors and referred to them as true heroes and as a tangible example for society and, along with Dr. Corona Vazquez, delivered the Heroes for life sculptures, created by the artist Romero Britto. The sculpture, a winged heart, symbolizes selflessness and joy of giving life. The wings symbolize the assistance given to the receiver to resume the flight and continue his life after undergoing a transplant.
Ms. Serrano de Slim, said that “talking of the organ donation as a new lease on life, is to instill and strengthen the values in our children; values such as generosity, sharing, helping and without any doubt to be aware of the needs of others. “Finally, she gave her appreciation to all the families present on the event, as they have shown great courage same that have disseminated among its family members and the community.
